LUBBOCK, Texas -
The Texas Tech men's tennis team moved up four spots to No. 17 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings released today. The Red Raiders currently lead the Big 12 after defeating Texas A&M in their conference opener this weekend, boasting a record of 16-2, 1-0 in conference.

"This team has continued to show so much determination and fight this season, and the guys really have done a good job late in matches to get the big wins," commented Head Coach Tim Siegel. "We are ready for some time off to rest and get in some good, hard practices, and we look forward to the rest of our Big 12 schedule."

Already this season Tech has faced 11 ranked opponents, including five wins over top-50 teams and falling only to No. 11 Tulsa in the Blue-Gray Championships and No. 31 TCU earlier this season. With the remainder of conference play upon the horizon, four of the five remaining regular season matches will be against ranked teams. Currently there are five of seven Big 12 men's tennis programs ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation, with teams including No. 5 Texas, No. 17 Texas Tech, No. 18 Baylor, No. 21 Texas A&M, and No. 23 Oklahoma State.

The team will take a much deserved weekend off before hitting the road for Oklahoma to take on the Sooners and the Cowboys beginning April 4th. For more information and a complete schedule, log on to www.texastech.com.